Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1887-10-07
state board Of education, tas author Of TIE
bill who said:

UIl, VINO Sdlus
II instead of this act taking effect today It
had done so 25 years earlier, it would have
saved the common wealth a great deal. The
necessity for such law is apparent to
all conversant with the edueaticrel history
and policy Of the state. You will remember
Gov. Butler in his review of the census
clearly demonstrated the necessity of legisla-
tive action, the result of which was the en-
ectnient OF the present elementary evening
school law, which requires all cities and
towns of 10000 and more inhabitants TO
maintain certain evening schools.
In 1885 the committee on education recon-
mended the enactment of an illiterate minor
bill 1t passed the House but was killed in
the Senate. This year presented n similar
bill, which is now the law, and which, had
Vt been enacted by the Legislature Of '57r
which gave us the permissiye evening school
law, would have saved the state from its
present burden of foreign illiteracy.
From the report of bureau Of statistics and
labor 1T was shown that more than 121, 900
persons, 10 years of age and over, in the com
monwealth, were, in 1885, epable TO read and
write. In Fall River thee We're found 5000
and more persons unable q read and write in
any language. These facts, without doubt,
materially influenced the Legislature to enact
a rigid bill. In one of the hearings it was
shown that in the Naumkeag mill at Salem
one In four of the children between the ages
of IA and 10 were unable to read and write
From Lowell, Holyoke, Fall River, Black
stone and other manufacturing centres there
was cumulative evidence Of the evasion Of
the school laws on account of age. As the
baptismEl records are in ether countries,
many illiterate children are represented to
be IA years of age and over who are not In
their teens, and hence are not certihcated in
open violation Of law.
Though this il|iterate minor act will not
remedy all the evils, nevertheless it will less
on the lying as to the ages Of children and
will place the burden upon the employer to
determine whether his employees have
an elementary knowledge Of English.
America Is for Americans and those who de-
sire to become Americans. We may love
Ireland, England or Germany, Lut our loyalty
is American first, and native land second.
This is the principle upon which this act
rests Its passage was aimed at no class,
but, on the contrary, it's provisions look to
the welfare Of all classes.
But failed to find foreigners opposed to
the bill. On the contrary it met with their
most unqualified support Nor am l ready
porations are allied in opposition to the law.
On the contrary, am advised by school
officials that these corporations favor the es-
adjustment and maintenance Of evening
schools Especially is this true in Lowell.
Do think the execution of the law will be
a hardship upon illiterates| No. The bill
was carefully drawn, and there are provis-
ions for relief in all cases of minors over IA
years of age. To employ minor under IA
years of age who cannot read and write, ex-
cept during the vacation Of the public
schools, there is a penalty of $50. This pro-
vision is practically q re-enactment of the
old law. In cases Of minors II years of age
or over who cannot read or write the English
language the statute imposes a penalty Of
from $50 to S100for each offence
By the third section of the act power is
given school committees to exempt for such
time as they deem proper minors, IA years Of
age and over, when it appears that the labor
Of such minors is necessary for their support
or that of their families In word, the law
simply requires the attendance of illiterate
minors at day or evening schools, and i'm
poses a penalty upon those who employ
minors who cannot read or write in the Eng
lish language. 1t debars none IA years of
age and over from employment, providing
they attend an evening school, or can get a
permit from the school committee authoriz-
ing their employment. Should the employer
fail to have his employees who are illiterate
minors comply with the law, then such
employer is liable to forfeit 500 for each
offence.
The parent, as the natural guardian of the
child, is entitled to its earnings, and it be-
comes serious matter when the state, DUR
ing the sickness of the widowed mother,
takes from her the family support. Such
policy is unsound, and, | believe, de-
mands remedial legislation.
My position is simply this: If it is shown to
the Legislature that the enforcement of the
laws, whether old or new, deprives family
Of necessaries and pauperi2es parents who
-t1 al. ILL
fault, then | think that school officials or
somebody, should have power to afford the
pauper any necessary relief. This was my
reason for urging the exemption as provided
in the act question In my Judgment no
child whose earnings can save his parents
from pauperism where there is no present
fault Of parents, should be refused work
ing certificate. Under this act there is no
necessity for the least hardship. The language
Of the act is simple, and no one who will can
fail to understand 1t.
There is no doubt that employers Of litter
ate minors will exercise greater care in as
certaining the qualifications of their en-
ployes, and that officers will use their COM
mon sense in seeing that the statute is not
made offensive by rash prosecutions. That
the law will be properly enforced there is nc
doubt. Everybody will have notice, as the
act itself provides, two weeks next before the
opening of the evening schools the school
committee must give public notice of the 10,
cation of their schools, the date of opening
the schools, and the penalty for non-compli.
ance with the act
Again. it is my purpose to have additional
notices sent to all manufacturing establish
ments in the state wherein illiterate minors
are employed. I doubt not the state nspec.
tors will do what is wise and proper in seeing
to it that the law is enforced.
The act will, without doubt, largely in.
crease the attendance at evening schools, es
pecially in Fall River, Lowell, Law,
renee, Salem, Holyoke and Other
manufacturing centres.
After a most careful study of the question
was convinced of the imperative necessity
of further compulsory legislation, and hence
did what could to secure it. The result il
this act which is now as much part of the
school laws IS that of any of tho other pub
lie statutes. 1t is the duty of all to see thai
it is enforced, and that the illiterecy of the
state is reduced to a minimum. If it il
found oppressive, a remedy can be had in the
next Legislature, where it can be amended
or repealed.